Introduction

What is this project about?

This project is about the build up to World War I and how Britain got involved in the war.

Build up to World War I:

A gang of Serbians named the 'Black Hand' killed Archduke Franz Ferdinand because they wanted to show that the Serbians and the Bosnians were not happy about the Austrian-Hungarian rule. Austria-Hungary blamed Serbia for the death of Franz Ferdinand, and then attacked Serbia. Russia had promised to protect Serbia against attack, so then they prepare to retaliate against Austria-Hungary.

Germany, an ally of Austria-Hungary, heard the news of Russia preparing for war. Germany then declared war on Russia. Germany planned to attack France before attacking Russia, and so declared war on France. Germany needed to pass through Belgium to get to France, but Belgium answered 'no' but Germany passed through anyway.

Britain was involved in WW1 because it had joined Russia and France in 1907 to form the Triple Entente, but Britain was not as committed to this alliance as Russia or France. In 1914, Britain tried to prevent Russia and Germany going to war, but once Germany invaded Belgium, this represented a threat to Britain because the Belgian ports were so close to the British coast. On August 4th 1914 after Germany's attack on France, Britain declared war on Germany.